The Villanova Wildcats (9-2), fresh off a dominant 34-10 regular-season finale win over Sacred Heart, host the undefeated Lehigh Mountain Hawks (12-0) in a marquee FCS playoff second-round clash at Murray Goodman Stadium. As the No. 7 seed Wildcats (7-1 CAA) look to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2018, they’ll face a Lehigh squad that’s steamrolled the Patriot League for back-to-back titles and enters as the No. 5 overall seed with the FCS’s top-ranked rushing defense (75 yards allowed per game). This intrastate rivalry—rooted in Pennsylvania college football lore—pits Villanova’s balanced attack (32.4 PPG, 26th in FCS) against Lehigh’s suffocating D (13.9 PPG allowed, 2nd in FCS), promising a low-scoring grinder where special teams and turnovers could decide the outcome. With Villanova’s home streak at 22 games (longest active in FCS) and Lehigh’s perfect record on the line, expect a defensive slugfest—projected final: Villanova 24-17, advancing behind QB Pat McQuaide’s poise and a stout front seven.
Venue, Date, and Time
Venue: Murray Goodman Stadium, 400 South Darlington Street, Villanova, PA 19085. Capacity: 6,500 (FCS standard; often sells out for playoffs). This on-campus gem, opened in 2001, features a passionate alumni base and turf surface that favors Villanova’s up-tempo style—home to 22 straight wins dating to 2022, the longest active streak in the FCS.
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT).
Broadcast: ESPN+ (national streaming), FloFootball (FCS exclusive), Villanova All-Access (local radio). Pre-game tailgates and student sections will amp the atmosphere for this noon kickoff, aligning with East Coast playoff fever.
Weather Forecast
Philadelphia-area weather on December 6, 2025, calls for typical early-winter chill, with highs around 45°F (7°C) and lows dipping to 32°F (0°C) by evening—near historical averages for the month (average high 46°F, low 32°F). Expect partly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of light showers (0.2 inches total precipitation), low wind (5-10 mph from the NW), and no significant snow risk (2 snowy days projected for December overall). Conditions should favor a clean game on the turf, though the crisp air could boost deep balls for both QBs; bundle up for kickoff temps around 42°F. (Forecast based on long-range models; monitor AccuWeather for updates.)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away/Neutral Split | CAA/Patriot League Standings | Key Stats (PPG / Opp PPG / Rush YPG Allowed) |
| Villanova Wildcats | 9-2 | 7-0 Home / 2-2 Away / 0-0 Neutral | 2nd (7-1 CAA) | 32.4 / 21.3 / 129.4 |
| Lehigh Mountain Hawks | 12-0 | 6-0 Home / 6-0 Away / 0-0 Neutral | 1st (8-0 PL) | 30.2 / 13.9 / 75.0 |
Villanova boasts FCS’s 26th-ranked scoring offense but ranks 23rd in defense, while Lehigh’s 2nd-ranked scoring defense (13.9 PPG) and 1st in rush D (75 YPG) highlight their stingy unit—allowing just 281.6 total YPG (5th in FCS).
Recent Team Forms
Both squads enter hot, but Lehigh’s perfection contrasts Villanova’s late surge after a midseason stumble.
Wildcats (5-1 in last 6): Villanova capped the regular season with a 34-10 rout of Sacred Heart on November 22 (Ja’briel Mace: 2 rush TDs, 1 receiving TD), following a 30-27 OT thriller over Stony Brook (November 16, Pat McQuaide: 4 TD passes) and a 28-10 win at Towson (November 9, Mace: school-record 291 rush yards, 4 TDs). Their lone loss: 51-33 at Monmouth (October 26). Averaging 30.8 PPG in the stretch with 408.6 total YPG (32nd in FCS), but defensive lapses (21.3 Opp PPG) persist—home dominance (7-0, +11.1 margin) sets the tone.
Mountain Hawks (6-0 in last 6): Lehigh’s unbeaten run included a lightning-shortened 27-7 win at Colgate (November 15, Hayden Johnson: 259 pass yards, 1 TD) and a 42-32 triumph over Lafayette (November 22, Luke Yoder: 234 rush yards, 4 TDs) for their second straight Patriot title. Earlier: 31-7 over Columbia (November 8, Johnson: 240 pass yards). Averaging 28.5 PPG with 430.8 YPG (top-10 FCS), their D has held foes to single digits in five of six—road prowess (6-0, +16.5 margin) fuels confidence.
Conference vs. Conference
This CAA (Villanova) vs. Patriot League (Lehigh) playoff tilt highlights stylistic contrasts: CAA’s pass-heavy, high-scoring affairs (avg. 58.2 combined PPG) vs. Patriot’s grind-it-out defenses (avg. 46.8 combined). Historically, CAA teams hold a 12-8 edge in FCS playoff meetings vs. Patriot foes since 2010, with Villanova 2-1 in such crossovers (wins over Richmond 2014, Bucknell 2016). Lehigh’s 1-0 in playoffs vs. CAA (def. Richmond 2017), but their rush D (1st FCS) neutralizes CAA’s 21st-ranked ground game (193 YPG). Expect a lower total (proj. 45.5 points) than CAA norms, favoring Lehigh’s physicality.
Injury Report
Lehigh enters healthier after a bye week, while Villanova monitors minor tweaks. Updates as of December 5, 2025 (FCS official report).
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Wildcats | Derek Robertson (QB) | PROBABLE | Shoulder (day-to-day; limited practice Nov. 29, 80% chance). | Backup signal-caller (15 TDs); McQuaide primary, but depth thins if out. |
| Wildcats | Ethan Williams (RB) | OUT | Knee (IR since Nov. 16; multi-week). | Change-of-pace back (4.2 YPC); Mace carries load (+10 carries projected). |
| Wildcats | Jaylen Sanchez (WR) | QUESTIONABLE | Ankle (tweaked Nov. 22; 60% chance). | Slot receiver (22 rec, 3 TDs); reshuffles routes if sidelined. |
| Mountain Hawks | Jalen Burbage (LB) | PROBABLE | Hamstring (bye-week rehab; full practice Dec. 3, 90% chance). | Leading tackler (78 stops); D intact if active. |
| Mountain Hawks | Several unnamed (varies) | DAY-TO-DAY | Minor bumps from Nov. 22 (per coach Cahill); bye aided recovery. | Rotation depth; no stars out—expect full go. |
Lehigh’s health edge bolsters their D; Villanova’s absences test Mace’s workload.
Key Player Matchups
Lehigh’s rush D vs. Villanova’s ground game headlines; these battles could swing momentum.
Pat McQuaide (Wildcats QB) vs. Lehigh Secondary (Led by CB Devin Johnson): McQuaide’s accuracy (215.6 PYPG, 22 TDs) tests Johnson’s shutdown (3 INTs, 45 tackles); expect 250+ pass yards if protection holds—McQuaide eyes 2 TDs vs. Lehigh’s 50th-ranked pass D.
Ja’briel Mace (Wildcats RB) vs. Lehigh Front Seven (Anchored by LB Brycen Edwards): Mace’s explosiveness (193 team rush YPG, 26 TDs) bullies Edwards’ pursuit (78 tackles); ground duel projects 120 rush yards for Mace, but Lehigh’s 1st-ranked rush D limits to 100.
Geoffrey Jamiel (Mountain Hawks WR) vs. Villanova CB Dee-Walker Smith: Jamiel’s big-play ability (9 rec, 138 yards vs. Colgate) exploits Smith’s coverage (2 INTs); air battle favors Lehigh if Johnson scrambles (64-yard TD pass Nov. 15).
Hayden Johnson (Mountain Hawks QB) vs. Villanova DL (Led by DE Ahmad Brown): Johnson’s dual-threat (259 pass/134 rush yards vs. Colgate) vs. Brown’s pressure (8 sacks); sack duel tips under if Brown disrupts (proj. 2+).
Villanova’s stars tilt offense, but Lehigh’s D matchups level field.
Series History
This Pennsylvania rivalry dates to 2004, with Villanova dominating 7 of 9 meetings (.778 win%): All-time: Villanova 7-2. Recent: Wildcats 38-10 in 2023 season opener (Villanova). Lehigh’s wins: 2004 (24-20), 2010 (21-19 at Harvard neutral). At Goodman Stadium: Villanova 4-0. Trends: Unders in 6/9 (avg. 41.3 points); Villanova covers 5-4 ATS. No playoff meetings—Lehigh seeks first vs. CAA foe since 2017 upset over Richmond.
Betting Trends
Villanova’s home dominance and Lehigh’s road perfection create value plays. Public: 55% on Wildcats spread (62% handle on Lehigh). Trends: Villanova 5-2 ATS last 7 home; Lehigh 6-1 ATS as underdogs >3 pts. Overs 4-3 in Villanova’s last 7; Lehigh unders 5-2 road. Historical vs. similar foes: CAA favorites 7-3 ATS in playoffs vs. Patriot; Lehigh 4-1 ATS last 5 as dogs.
Historical Betting Results
In 9 meetings: Villanova 5-4 ATS (55.6%), with 4-5 O/U (44.4% over). Last 5: Wildcats 3-2 ATS, avg. margin 14.2 points (all covers >10). Lehigh 2-3 ATS as underdogs, but 3-2 O/U in losses. Playoff context: No direct, but Lehigh 2-1 ATS in FCS playoffs (covers as +6 dog vs. Richmond 2017); Villanova 1-2 ATS in second round (failed to cover as -10 fave in 2018).
Game Odds
Villanova Wildcats – 3.5
Lehigh Mountain Hawks 45.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
